Doña Marilyn (Wreck) - Malapascua

The Doña Marilyn wreck is an absolute classic Malapascua dive, and honestly, we think it’s underrated. Dropping down to 30 metres, you hit the bow first, often with visibility that’s just good enough to make the whole ship appear out of the blue, a really dramatic moment. What we love about this site isn't just the history – a ferry that sank in a typhoon – it’s how nature has completely reclaimed it. You can swim through the cargo hold, which is now home to schools of batfish so thick you feel them brush past you. Look for the resident white-tip reef sharks often found resting in the deeper sections, and if you’ve got a good guide, they’ll point out scorpionfish camouflaged on the rusted decks. Our favourite part has to be the stern, where the prop is still visible, encrusted with corals, and always surrounded by glassfish. It’s an intermediate dive because of the depth and occasional current, but if you’re comfortable at 30 metres, you'll find a really atmospheric wreck dive here. Come in the morning for the best chance of decent light penetration.

Location
Malapascua, Philippines, Southeast Asia
Coordinates
11.622600, 123.926800
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
30m
Difficulty
Intermediate

Marine Protected Area: Islands of Guinauyan, Naro, Chico, and Pobre Wilderness Area

Best Time to Dive in Malapascua

The warmest water temperatures in Malapascua occur in June, averaging 29.9°C. The coolest conditions are in February at 27.1°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 27.5°C
  • February: 27.1°C
  • March: 27.6°C
  • April: 28.3°C
  • May: 29.6°C
  • June: 29.9°C
  • July: 29.6°C
  • August: 29.6°C
  • September: 29.8°C
  • October: 29.6°C
  • November: 29.2°C
  • December: 28.6°C

Nearby Dive Sites in Malapascua

Nearest Dive Centres to Doña Marilyn (Wreck)

Marine Life in Malapascua

Home to 88 recorded species including 72 reef fish, 5 crabs & lobsters, 5 sharks & rays, 2 other, 2 sea snails & nudibranchs, 1 seagrass & algae.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for Doña Marilyn (Wreck)

Based on average water temperature of 28.9°C, currents 15 cm/s.

  • Shorty or Rashguard - warm 29°C water needs minimal exposure protection
  • Mask - essential for every dive
  • Fins
  • BCD - buoyancy compensator
  • Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
  • Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
  • Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
  • Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
  • Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories